Beach erosion bonus
Anna Maria Building Official Kevin Donohue monitored the storm surge and wave action during Hurricane Ivan's passage by the Island Sept. 15. The seriously eroded beach in Anna Maria along North Shore Drive is a large part of the reason why the entire Island could get another beach renourishment project within two to three years. Islander Photo: Rick CatlinClick on image to enlarge

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection last Friday declared Anna Maria beaches "critically eroded," clearing the way for immediate preparations for a beach renourishment project in that city, rather than the six to eight years previously expected for renourishment. The city's beaches could be renourished as early as 2006, financed largely by the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

The Holmes Beach City Commission has requested that its planning commission review a proposed small-scale development amendment to change the land-use designation in the city's comprehensive plan for three properties.